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Dangriga Witnesses Second Broad Daylight Murder in 72 Hours
posted (April 27, 2018)
Dangriga Town residents are still in shock tonight - after they witnessed the second murder in three days. And the reason they are shocked is that this kind of thing just doesn't happen in Griga - maybe Belize City, maybe Orange Walk or San Pedro, maybe even Cayo or Belmopan - but not Dangriga - which is known for its easygoing way of life.

But, it is happening: two execution style killings in broad daylight in just 72 hours. Daniel Ortiz raced down to Griga to see what this one was about - and he found that it may have been the common denominator in many recent killings: a battle over drugs:...

Daniel Ortiz reporting
43 year-old Gabriel Laurie Jr. was found dead here inside his house this morning after 10:00. Residents of the Wagierale area tell us that they heard the sounds of about 5 gunshots, and as soon as they felt it safe enough to venture outside, they discovered Laurie's body near to his front door.

Reporter
"Gunmen went all the way to his house and killed him inside the hall."

Indira Laurie - Sister of the Deceased
"In front of his door. It looks like they were trying to stomp down his door and he heard the ruction and when he opened the door, it was direct in his neck the gunman shot him."

Reporter
"We were told 5 shots [fired]. Was that the only injury he suffered?"

Indira Laurie - Sister of the Deceased
"I saw my brother's body and only one shot he got."

The murder of Laurie, or "Termite" as he is better known, is fresh at this time, and rumors are spreading around like wild fire, especially because his killing is the second in 4 days.

But, one persistent report we've heard, is that Laurie may have recently gotten into a bitter dispute with a fellow drug peddler. Griga residents tell us he was one of the local suppliers in the Wagierale area of local and high grade marijuana, and that this dispute with the competitor may have led to his execution style murder.

His family tells us that whatever lifestyle he had as an adult, they don't know about it.

Indira Laurie
"Well we are hearing a lot of rumors, but you know we have to leave everything in the hands of the law until we see what will happen and get justice. But as far as we know that he had an altercation with a young man."

Reporter
"I apologize if any of the questions I am asking you is offensive that is not the intention, but we have to try our best to get to the bottom of what happened and the suggestion we're being told is that he was a "Dor" on the corner. That's the suggestion they are telling us. Did any of that type of lifestyle ever come to your attention?"

Indira Laurie
"No sir. Even if he was a "Dor" I wasn't aware of that. That's his life. He doesn't live here. He has his own house."

But whatever choices "Termite" made, the fact remains that he has a family who loved him and they are now in the depths of pain and grief.

Indira Laurie
"My one and only brother was so loving to us. In fact today is his last baby's birthday. So it's so sad that they killed him on his daughter's birthday. My brother was so nice to everyone in Dangriga. He was a sweet person and he loved his sports. From he was 18 years old, he played football and that's his favorite sport. Right now he has his son in Cleveland [USA]. He [son] was one of the guys who went on the trip. It's so sad that they took his life like that."

"We leave everything in the hands of the law and when the law have dealt with everything, we just have to face it, because it looks like this is the world now."

Reporter
"He is the second victim in one week. It must be worrying that a number of murders are happening in Dangriga like this."

Indira Laurie
"Well I guess we are not safe at Dangriga anymore, because it's back to back and in broad daylight. Somebody has had to see."

Police have one known suspect who they are looking for at this time, but best information says that he hightailed it out of Dangriga this morning.

As you heard, Laurie's son, Kevon is currently in Cleveland, Ohio participating in the Dru Joyce Basketball Tournament in the hopes of being scouted for a college basketball scholarship. Kevon has now gotten this devastating news while in Cleveland. Tournament organizers tell us he is coping - and his family has encouraged him to play tonight's game at 7:30. We are told he will try to play through the mourning.

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